Simple Things

To find joy in simple things,
Twinkling lights and violin strings.
Clean sheets on a comfortable bed
A downy pillow under my head.

A sparrow in flight with wings aflutter,
Pearly moisture on a pat of butter,
A rainbow iridescent with multi-hue,
Fresh mown grass sparkling with dew.

A book to read, a child to hold,
A butterfly dipping on wings of gold,
A friend's touch when your heart is low,
A flower to plant, and watch it grow.

These are the pearls of life we need
To stay the grasp of anger and greed,
To lift our hearts, enrich our life
And hold at bay the pain and strife.

A few minutes a day, let simple things in
To stop the world's tumultuous spin.
To let your spirit soar afloat
Above the sway of this rocky boat.

And in the stillness you touch a brother,
And he in turn will touch another.
Until a host of brothers sings,
To music wrought by simple things.

-- Bettye Jo Conklin